Cornrows and Culture

Since I was young, I’ve realized that there’s a stark difference between what people identify as “white culture” and “black culture.” Arts such as hip-hop are defined by the world as “black culture,” and other things, like the cornrow hairstyle, are also placed into this category. I believe that it’s fine for certain races to have things that belong to their culture. But when social stigmas about culture get so extreme that different ethnicities cannot share style, there is a major issue.

In today’s world, there’s no doubt that entertainment is a central part of our lives. I know that I, along with many of my peers, look up to the stars of the entertainment business as role models. People of all ages follow their favorite celebrity, and sometimes they imitate their actions. So when we see our favorite stars such as Kim Kardashian, Selena Gomez and Justin Timberlake wearing cornrows, does that have a negative effect on the people who look up to them? I say no.

The definition of cultural appropriation is “a sociological concept which views the adoption or use of elements of one culture by members of a different culture as a largely negative phenomenon.” Much of the public thinks that when white people, especially celebrities, wear cornrows, it is cultural appropriation. Many think that when white people have hairstyles such as cornrows, it is an act of disrespect toward the black culture that African-Americans have worked so hard to obtain. But that is simply not the case.

Because the definition of cultural appropriation states that the “use of elements of one culture by members of a different culture” is mainly negative, the use of cornrows is perceived as negative. Making the assumption that white people wear cornrows as an act of disrespect or negativity is purely speculation. What we do know is that cornrows have become a cool trend as more and more famous celebrities embrace the hairstyle. This trend is an expression of style and change. It represents the idea that sharing culture is not a bad  thing. White people wearing cornrows cannot be ruled as a negative influence on society. And the public’s opposition to it certainly should not lead to a societal ban on the style.